The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I was looking for some music for my kids and came across an album by They Might Be Giants called NO. I used to be quite a fan of their earlier work in the 1980's so was surprised to know they were still going and had done an album for kids.
The kids love the music and it soon got stuck in my head, especially a haunting song called The Edison Museum.
Imagine my surprise when I heard TMBG had recorded 4 cylinders at the Edison Museum .
Here is the link which also contains links to a great youtube video and all the songs recorded on the day. I wonder what happened to the cylinders?.
http://tmbw.net/wiki/Wax_Cylinder_Recordings


The Edison Museum, not open to the public Its haunted towers rise into the clouds above it Folks drive in from out of town To gaze in amazement when they see it
Just outside the gate I look into the courtyard Underneath the gathering thunderstorm Through the iron bars, I see the Black Maria Revolving slowly on its platform In the topmost tower, a light burns dim A coiling filament glowing within
The Edison Museum, once a bustling factory Today is but a darkened, cobweb covered hive of industry The tallest, widest and most famous haunted mansion in New Jersey
Behind a wooden door, the voice of Thomas Alva Recites a poem on a phonograph Ghosts float up the stair, like silent moving pictures The loyal phantoms of his in-house staff A wondrous place it is, there can be no doubt But no one ever goes in, and no one ever goes out
So when your children quarrel and nothing seems to quell them Just tell them that you'll take them to the Edison Museum The largest independently owned and operated mausoleum

They're great, and continue to make great new music. Depending upon the ages of your kids, you can look into a whole series of kid-oriented records by TMBG, such as Here Come the 123s (songs with math/numerical themes), Here Come The ABCs (letters and words), and Here Comes Science (science!). What is great about all their stuff is that even when aimed at kids, the material is clever and catchy and entertaining for the parents as well. Made the long road trips much easier! And all of their other stuff is equally entertaining...as the kids grew up they have continued to be fans.

They made an appearance on The Daily Show years ago, and recorded a tune onto a wax cylinder, live on stage with the help of Peter Dilg. You can see it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MIbDBu9Kpc

Run forward to about the 2:50 mark for the beginning of the cylinder recording sequence.

What other band has recorded a song about James K. Polk? And what other fan base goes abso-freaking-lutely NUTS when they play it in concert? I've seen it happen several times.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gjPzTa_4Rs


In 1844, the Democrats were split
The three nominees for the presidential candidate
Were Martin Van Buren, a former president and an abolitionist
James Buchanan, a moderate
Lewis Cass, a general and expansionist
From Nashville came a dark horse riding up
He was James K. Polk, Napoleon of the Stump

Austere, severe, he held few people dear
His oratory filled his foes with fear
The factions soon agreed
He's just the man we need
To bring about victory
Fulfill our manifest destiny
And annex the land the Mexicans command
And when the poll was cast, the winner was
Mister James K. Polk, Napoleon of the Stump

In four short years he met his every goal
He seized the whole Southwest from Mexico
Made sure the tariffs fell
And made the English sell the Oregon Territory
He built an independent treasury
Having done all this he sought no second term
But precious few have mourned the passing of
Mister James K. Polk, our eleventh president
Young Hickory, Napoleon of the Stump

P.S. They also have a song about Nikola Tesla...

Thanks Peter for the fill in. I've just ordered a few TMBG records on vinyl.
I've spent the day listening to their podcasts. Great stuff.
Also spotted them on the kids show. Blues Clues.